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Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Jude 1:17-25

I had a friend in Pa that came out of a Baptist Congregation and he said before he left the congregation he had a dinner with the preacher about some concerns he had with their practices. He asked the preacher why he didn’t bring his Bible. The preacher responded, “There is nothing in that book that I already don’t know. What are your questions?” He said he didn’t really trust a person who claimed to have that much confidence in himself. I AGREE! A year later that guy was no longer a preacher, and had moved to a life of crime. Apostasy, often times, sets in when we feel like God cannot or will not meet our needs! CONSIDER EVE- God held back from Adam and Eve. What He had provided was no longer enough. She desired more. CONSIDER JESUS- God wouldn’t supply food. God wants you to suffer and die, worship me and I can show you the easy way. Let’s see what we can learn from Jude!

Vv17,18 These verse are so much like 2Pe 3:1-3 that many scholars feel Jude is merely repeating Peter and he actually sent his letter to the same people. 2Pe 3:1-3Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,

V17- This is a good idea in aspects of life, not just concerning apostasy.

But you- This is a plural word. It is contrasting the brethren to the reprobate.

remember the words…- The same is said today. We say, “No book but the Bible; No creed but Christ.” We must always remember the Word. Whatever a man teaches must be compared to the Word. If a man intentionally teaches something other than the Word he must be avoided.

V18-Time- This word literally means "a space of time," whether short or long. WHAT SPACE OF TIME IS REFERRED TO HERE? Clark says, “The conclusion of the Jewish polity.” We must always understand the “last time” or “last days” in the Bible:

PATRIARCHAL

Gen 49:1And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days (Then he proceeds to talk about each tribe ending.)

MOSAIC

Isa 2:2 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. (“House” is a reference to the Church)

DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM

Acts 2:16-21But this is what was spoken by the prophetJoel:17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’ (We can see that Peter quotes the prophet Joel concerning the last days. All the things promised here are fulfilled by 70 A.D. “All flesh” is fulfilled in Acts 10:32-48. “Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord” is NOT a reference to the Second Advent, rather to the destruction of Jerusalem.

CHRISTIAN

Rom 2:5-8But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath (This is the Second Advent. We MUST make sure we know what “last days” or “end of time” we are talking about to avoid tremendous Biblical confusion. Not understanding to whom, by whom, for what reason, and what time frame the Bible is speaking is how denominations start! )

V19- cause divisions(separate themselves)KJV The older manuscripts are split on the word “themselves.” Some have it and some don’t, but the focus is in the division that is happening. Whether separating themselves or dividing a congregation. Either way there is separation. SEE Rom 16:17

Sensual- Literally “natural” or “animal”; It is referring to the fact that an animal does not have a spirit which enables it to converse with God!

not having the Spirit- When Jude declares that the false teachers are without the Spirit, he leaves no doubt as to their eternal destiny. They are merely worldly persons and do not belong to God.

vv20-23-Encouragement and Instruction

v20- We see somewhat of a contrast to verse 19. Instead of division or separation we must “build up” or strengthen. Instead of “not having the spirit” we must “pray” in the spirit. Paul says a similar thing inEph 6:18.

But you- AGAIN! This is a plural word. It is contrasting the brethren to the reprobate.

V21- keep yourselves in the love of God- Jesus tells us to abide in him. Jn 15:4,6,9 If we do not abide or keep ourselves in God we are separated and will receive the consequences of that decision.

Mercy- This is no doubt referring when he returns to receive his people to himself. Christian mercy is unique. The world says, “It is his fault” or She brought that on herself.” That should not be the final case in Christian mercy, what if God said that of us? Rom 5:8

V22,23- making a distinction(making a difference KJV; who are doubting NASB; those who doubt NIV) There is much debate about what is being communicated here. The word in question can be translated all the ways listed. You can find these words directly in the definition. This verse is saying we must judiciously decide how to help others abide and show them mercy and compassion. Every person is different and responds to different treatment!

hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. This is alluding to staying wary of sin, even the remotest contact with sin. I see this as someone avoiding the coat of a leper or someone who had the plague! In my house if someone gets the flu we wash the sheets immediately after recovery and throw away the old toothbrush in order to avoid contact again. That is how we are to avoid sin! Sin is that garment!

Vv24,25 Praise to the Lord

Vs24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling- If Christians heed the instructions of their Lord and walk in the light as he is in the light, they will not stumble; and, for those who thus walk, the Lord indeed can and does guard them from stumbling. God is able to keep us from stumbling Ps. 37:23, 24; 121:3; Pr 4:11,12

V25 To God our Savior- Who has provided Jesus and by his blood washed us from our sins, and with obedience we are acceptable to God the Father

Who alone is wise- Who alone can teach, who alone has declared the truth; that truth in which we now stand. Rom 16:27

CONCLUSION:

We must be aware of men who do not teach the whole truth! A HALF TRUTH IS A WHOLE LIE! Stay in the Word and in the fellowship of fellow Christians. Keep in mind, in order for us to stumble, we first must start to walk or run the race! Make sure we are in the race by abiding in God! Someone once said, "A journey of one thousand miles begins with the first step." Are you ready to make that first step in walking with Jesus?